Walks
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Blickling Hall, Gardens and Park, Norfolk
2-8 miles
For
folk happy just to stroll in beautiful surroundings, or for those keen to
stride out, Blickling is the ideal place for a country walk, especially
during daffodil time.
The walks start or end – the choice is yours – among the daffodils
that, from mid-February into April, carpet the ground in the more informal
areas of the gardens.
So either head straight for the gardens or step out around the park (no
charge), which, with a little planning, will bring you back to the entrance
to the gardens (£5 adults, £2.50 child or £12.50 family).
There are three waymarked walks around the park – the red Mausoleum
Walk and the green Lake Walk, both 2miles (3k), and the blue Estate Walk,
4.5miles (7k) – although a combination of all three, about 2.5miles
(4.2k) will include the best of the views, the sights and the sounds.
The Mausoleum Walk, which sounds like a funeral march, but isn’t,
is made-up track and path, and the going is firm and level. Conditions underfoot
on the other two trails are more variable. Stout walking boots or shoes
are advisable. Wear layers that can be stripped off as the day warms up.
Dogs on leads welcome in the park.
FactFile
How to get there: Take the A140 to Aylsham,
midway between Norwich and Cromer, and follow the signs for Blickling
Hall
Parking: Approaching from Aylsham, pass the
main gates and take the second turning into the free car park
Toilets: including disabled facilities are
signed from the car park
Refreshments: The restaurant (01263 738045),
shop (01263 738046) and garden (information 01263 738030) all re-open
for the new season on Saturday, March 17, from 10.15am to 5.15pm, Wednesdays
through to Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). However, the park is
open daily all year round, from dawn to dusk.
DIRECTIONS
From the back of the car park follow the signs, left to the park gates,
right to the gardens.
Plan your walk from the map at the gates. Starting on the red Mausoleum
Walk, switching to the blue Estate Walk and then to the green Lake Walk,
will take you through the park and the woodland and back beside the lake.
For those keen to push themselves, the three walks (totally nearly 8 miles
or 13k) can be tackled separately, taking a break for lunch perhaps.
A number of public footpaths and bridleways also cross the park, linking
up with the walks. Perfect for both serious walkers and those who prefer
a gentle stroll.
All the walks are circular, starting and ending near the hall, and there
are benches along the way on which to rest and admire the views.
Points of interest
Blickling Park is renowned for its mighty oaks and for its majestic stands
of towering beech trees.
If following a combination of the three walks, the red Mausoleum Walk takes
you through wide open, tree-studded parkland alive with birdsong, so binoculars
are a must.
The track climbs the gentle hill to woods at the top. To the west is an
intriguing red brick folly, known as The Tower.
The route turns into young woodlands, including stands of native trees,
and leads on into The Great Wood, where wildlife abounds.
The path crosses a wide avenue that slices through the wood, revealing on
the left an astonishing sight.
At the centre of the avenue is The Mausoleum, after which this route is
named, a curious stone pyramid, about 50ft high, (right) raised in memory
of the Earl of Buckingham, who died in September, 1793.
Note the grand entrance doors, with stone-carved deer, hound and shield
above, and the handsome bullock over the memorial stone at the back. Stand
on tippy toes to see through the metal grilled windows either side into
the gloomy chamber within.
Return to the path and continue through the woods, before emerging into
open parkland once more, with fine views over miles of rolling countryside.
As the path disappears into the woods again, the first glimpses of the hall
towers can be seen poking above the trees away to the south.
On the far side of the woods, either head back to the hall on the red Mausoleum
Walk, or leave the made-up path for the rougher track of the blue Estate
Walk.
This continues beside The Beeches, a stand of magnificent beech trees, from
the end of which is a truly stunning view of the lake, with the hall in
all its magnificence at the far end.
Drop down to the lake and switch to the green Lake Walk, which follows the
shoreline through the trees and back towards the hall.
The hall appears once more, closer now on the far side of the lake, and
looking every bit the fairytale palace it is.
Detour to The Mount, an unusual tree-covered mound topped by a water tower
and almost hidden away among the trees to the north.
The path skirts the gardens and allows tantalising glimpses of decorative
urns, a temple and the wonderfully elegant 18th century orangery.
The trail ends close to the entrance to the gardens - and a chance to wander
among the daffodils.